News and Analysis

Pete Piringer

A Washington Gas employee surveys the scene around the open plate, reportedly the source of a gas leak between 18th and 19th streets. Michelle Rattinger | Senior Photo Editor

A gas leak shut down E Street between 18th and 19th streets Wednesday.

Fire officials used monitors to detect gas coming from a junction box in the sidewalk at the corner of 19th and E streets, one firefighter on the scene said. The junction box contains the underground natural gas pipe,which was identified as the source of the leak, D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer said.

The D.C. Fire Department arrived on the scene at 10:15 a.m., Piringer said, adding that there were no reported injuries and no evacuations.

A Metropolitan Police officer said he did not know when the leak would be fixed, and “these things often take a long time.” He said the streets would be reopened as soon as Washington Gas resolved the issue.

Five fire engines responded to a fire at the 1221 West End Residences building Tuesday. Marie McGrory | Hatchet Staff Photographer

A fire broke out on the roof of a West End apartment building Tuesday afternoon, burning some wooden decking, a D.C. Fire and EMS official said.

Firefighters received a call for the “relatively small fire” on the roof of the 1221 West End Residences building, near 24 and M streets, at about 4:45 p.m., Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Byrne said. At about 5:35 p.m., he said firefighters contained the flames. There were no injuries.

The fire originated around an air conditioning unit, Pete Piringer, the department’s spokesman, said. Investigators have yet to determine whether or not the unit sparked the fire.

Five fire engines, three trucks and three chiefs responded to the scene, Byrne said, adding that they plan to stay on site for another hour.

A fire broke out in the kitchen of a third floor room at 1959 E St. Thursday evening, forcing firefighters to evacuate occupants from the building.

The fire department received a call at about 6:15 p.m., D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer said. When units arrived at the scene, they found a pot on the stove in the room, but the fire was “essentially out.”

EMS officials evaluated one male resident for possible hand burns, Piringer said, apparently incurred while he attempted to extinguish the grease or oil fire from the pot with a fire extinguisher. While he was trying to put out the fire, hot liquid splashed on him, Piringer said. He was evaluated and treated at the site and declined to go to the hospital.

A fire broke out in the Zeta Beta Tau townhouse Tuesday afternoon, with firefighters on scene using the roof to gain access to the flames.

An officer on scene, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the fire was extinguished by 3:40 p.m.

Pete Piringer, spokesman for the D.C. fire and emergency medical services department, said the “significant fire” at 605 21st Street erupted within the upper walls of the townhouse, on the second and third floors and in the attic.

Firefighters arrived on scene and put ladders up to access the smoke-filled townhouse after receiving an initial call at about 3:05 p.m. Piringer said about 50 firefighters and 12 trucks responded.

Firefighters inside the townhouse could not immediately detect where the fire was located, Piringer said, but noted heavy smoke. He said a preliminary investigation led firefighters to believe there was “burning for a while, undetected in the walls.”

It took 15 to 20 minutes for officers “to get a handle” because the fire “wasn’t outwardly visible,” Piringer said.

No students were residing in the townhouse at the time, but one occupant who moving in smelled smoke and called the department, Piringer said. Damage to the townhouse is “pretty significant.” Firefighters opened up walls, ceilings and the roof to put out the flames.

The fire shut down 21 Street between G and F streets. Piringer said investigators will examine burn patterns and use the process of elimination to identify potential fire causes.

Neighboring townhouses did not catch flames but did hold some smoke, he said. The fraternity tweeted that all of the brothers were safe.

A female student was hit by a car outside Schenley Hall at approximately 7:50 a.m. Tuesday morning and transported by ambulance shortly thereafter, according to eyewitness accounts.

D.C. Fire spokesman Pete Piringer confirmed the victim was an adult female and was transported by ambulance with “serious but not life-threatening injuries.”

University spokeswoman Michelle Sherrard confirmed the victim was a student and said she was “crossing the street outside of the crosswalk” at the time of the incident.

“The student was alert and conscious and was transported to GW Hospital,” Sherrard said. “The student is expected to be treated and released today. Metropolitan Police are handling the investigation since it occurred on city streets.”

Media Credit: Leah Edwards | Hatchet PhotographerWMATA is currently testing its 7000-series Metro cars. The new rail cars include LED screens that display route maps and upcoming station information to allow riders to easily track their locations. The first train will begin service on April 14, departing from Franconia-Springfield on the Blue Line shortly af […]